Learning objectives
<p>The course is open to students of 2nd and 3rd years which previously passed the exam of Zoology. The aim is to introduce students to the study of evolutionary processes. Evolution is the "string" that connect all living organisms, is the key to interpret all biological phenomena: Hence, it is of crucial importance for people working on Nature being aware of the basic priciples of evolutionary biology. The first part of the course will be devoted to introduce the principles of the Darwinian theory and the neo-darwinism. In the second part will be anlysed the mechanisms of microevolution. Finally, the last part of the Course will deal with macroevolution and the main steps of the story of the life on Earth with particular enphasis on animal phyla. </p>
Prerequisites
Exam of Zoology
Course unit content
<p>1. Evolution and the History of life. Basic concept. <br />
2. A brief story of the evolutionary thinking. <br />
3. Darwin's theory. The "Origin of Species", Evolution of the Darwin's idea. <br />
4. Evolution at proof. <br />
5. The Forces of the Biological Evolution. <br />
6. Natural Selection. A Model of Natural selection.</p>
<p>8. Adaptation. <br />
9. Sexuality and Sexual Selection. <br />
10. Speciation. <br />
11. Systematics and Phylogenesis. <br />
12. Macroevolution. <br />
13. The Life on Earth: a story of the main events. </p>
<p>14. Evolution and diversification of the animals. <br />
15. New tendencies and developments of evolutionary biology. </p>
Full programme
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Bibliography
Evoluzione - di M. Ridley, <br />
McGraw-Hill (2006) <br />
<br />
BIOLOGIA di Campbell, Reece et al. (2009, Pearson Paravia Bruno Mondadori), Vol. 3: Meccanismi dell'evoluzione ed origini della diversità <br />
Teaching methods
TEACHING: Lectures made using also multimedia tools, analysis of classic and peculiar case studies. <br />
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evaluation: oral examination aimed to verify the capacity of the student to tackle evolutionary problems using the methodological principles and knowledge acquired during the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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